When you're writing your CV, you have a lot to think about, such as the format, highlighting your relevant skills and experience, and even tailoring the CV to the job description. But another important factor in creating
an effective CV is its length.
Whether you have years of experience or are just starting out, a one page CV can highlight your experience and finely honed skills in a streamlined, compelling way.
We’ll show you how to get the most out of a one page CV, demonstrating that brevity can indeed be your job-hunting ally.
Does your CV have to be one page?
Listen, it’s your CV, and you're in charge. It doesn’t have to be anything you don’t want it to be.
However, to give yourself another edge in the job hunt, you might want to consider limiting your CV to one page, and there are a few reasons why it might be to your advantage to do so and keep your CV out of the “TLDR” (too long, didn’t read) pile.
● Industry norms: some fields, such as academia, senior-level management, medicine, or the sciences, require a multi-page CV.
● Experience level: If you’re a recent grad, career changer, or have less than 10 years of experience, a one page CV is a good idea.
● Job requirements: some industries might require an extensive description of your breadth of knowledge or technical skills, but for most positions, a brief “highlight reel” of your skills and accomplishments is plenty. Do your research to understand the requirements of your field.
Unless your industry or experience level requires it, one page should be ideal for your CV. Think about it this way: hiring managers see hundreds of CVs every week, and they’re not likely to read a multiple-page CV for an entry-level (or similar) position.
Your CV should give your career highlights in a concise, easy-to-read format. Plus, if your CV is printed out, it’s likely that the pages could get separated, leading to the hiring manager having incomplete information on your background.
Pros and cons of a one-page CV
As advantageous as a one page CV can be, it’s not a “one size fits all” scenario. It’s important to take a good look at your current situation, and decide whether a one page CV is right for you.
Let’s take a look at both the pros and cons of a one page CV.
Pros
● Concise and informative: including only the most relevant and important information will help grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep them reading your CV.
● Easy to scan and parse: a one page CV makes it easier for the hiring manager to locate the relevant information they need.
● Showcases your creativity and communication skills: a one page CV shows that you can identify and convey the most relevant information in a clear manner.
● Demonstrates industry knowledge: if your field requires it, keeping your CV to one page shows the employer that you’re knowledgeable about your industry’s norms and requirements.
Cons
● Limited space: if you have extensive experience, a one page CV may necessitate the removal of important accomplishments, skills, and other important information.
● Less opportunity for context: a shorter CV may eliminate the content necessary to understand the scope of your previous work, especially if you work in a highly technical field or are at a senior level of experience.
● May lead to formatting issues: trying to squeeze all your information into one page might lead to problems with margins, necessitate a smaller font, or a lack of “white space” that makes it harder for a recruiter to read.
What to include on a one-page CV
With limited space, it’s important to make every detail count. When constructing a one-page CV, make sure to include the following sections:
● Contact information: no matter the length of your CV, include your contact info at the top so that the recruiter can reach out to you.
● Professional summary: Create a two to three sentence overview of your career trajectory and accomplishments.
● Job history: use a reverse-chronological format, listing your most recent position first. Include company name, job title, location, and the dates you worked there. Also include achievements, including quantifiable data when possible.
● Skill list: provide a list of your job-relevant hard and soft skills.
● Education and certifications: provide your degree, university, and location. Include any relevant professional certifications as well.
● Awards or publications: if you have any awards or job-related published work, include it at the bottom.
To make sure you’re making the most of a one-page CV, consider using a CV builder like resume.io, which will provide you with the templates and guidance you need to make a concise, impactful CV.
What not to include on a one-page CV
Just as important as what you include in your one-page CV is what you leave out. You have limited “real estate” on your CV, so make sure everything is designed for maximum impact.
Some things you should leave off your one-page CV are:
● Irrelevant skills: include only the skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
● Day to day tasks: focus on your accomplishments and achievements, not what you did every day.
● A career objective: it’s outdated and unnecessary. Include a concise professional summary, instead.
● Personal details: information such as marital status, political affiliation, hobbies, or religion.
● References: if an employer is interested, they’ll ask for them.
● Unrelated jobs: leave off any positions that aren't relevant to the one you’re applying for. You can include them in an “Additional Experience” section, if you must.
How Far Back Should Your CV Go?
The general rule of thumb is that your CV shouldn’t go back farther than the last 10-15 years. This keeps the focus on your recent work experience, accomplishments, making it easier for the hiring manager to scan your CV.
It also helps minimise the chances of age discrimination, which is illegal but unfortunately still happens. If you wish, you can place older jobs in a separate section titled “Additional Experience” and leave off the dates.
